Flood free to face Ospreys

Leicester fly-half Toby Flood is free to face the Ospreys in their Heineken Cup clash in Wales after being cleared of a dangerous tackle.

Flood had been cited for the incident in the second half of the Tigers' 19-14 Aviva Premiership win at Sixways on Friday night.

But a Rugby Football Union disciplinary panel decided not to uphold the citing for the challenge on Andy Goode.

Flood is available to play for Leicester in their Heineken Cup fixtures against Ospreys and Toulouse and in England's RBS 6 Nations campaign.

The RFU's disciplinary panel chairman Jeremy Summers confirmed Goode had been the victim of a dangerous tackle.

Flood made the first hit on Goode before he was joined in the tackle by hooker Rob Hawkins. Worcester's James Percival was also in close proximity.

Summer said: "Whilst we found that the elements of a dangerous tackle were made out, after very careful analysis we could not be satisfied, to that standard required, that the dynamics of the incident had not been caused, or contributed to, significantly by the involvement of other players from both teams."

Flood is set to be named as one of three fly-halves in England's Six Nations squad tomorrow, when it is announced by head coach Stuart Lancaster.

Earlier in the evening, London Welsh hooker Neil Briggs was suspended for three weeks for punching Harlequins wing Sam Smith.

Briggs will be sidelined for the Exiles' Amlin Challenge Cup fixtures against Cavalieri and Stade Francais, plus their LV= Cup appointment with Harlequins.